Has anyone here gone through denouncing their British passport for another? I live in the NL with my wife (European), so I don't nor will I have any issues staying here long term (for now), and we also bought a house here which is a forever home, love it! The subject keeps coming up recently due to the elections (same shit, different flag) and how 'they'll be kicking you out soon' is the top comment from local donkeys. Personally, I don't care for the UK anymore. It was cool growing up there, but there is nothing there for me and it's simply a nice place to visit my mates from time to time. However... Is it enough to totally change my citizenship? And leave permanently? Not looking for answers, just advice.
There are already signs that the EU policy of limiting the number of days in any one period, non EU residents can visit EU countries, is harming the economy in France and Spain. Both countries are reported to be looking at finding ways to change this policy. I recently watched a programme that explained what was required for a UK passport holder to live freely in Spain. Giving up UK citizenship was not mentioned. European political rhetoric reported in the UK press currently seems to be very anti immigration focussed but I’m not sure if the includes the British. IMO, if you don’t have to do anything to maintain your current status and security of tenure, why do anything. Andy
My Sister and her children have lived in the NL for 25 years (the youngest was born in the NL). After Brexit they had to all do things regarding nationality in order to guarantee the right to reside there. They took a number of different options, (as the children also had Irish heritage). My sister renounced her UK passporet as at the time she was told by the Dutch authorities that she could not have dual citizenship. She has since been told that is not the case and it is possible to have Dutch Nationality and have both a British and NL passport. Hope that helps. I know nothing of the process of applying, apart from that it is somewhat beauracratic on the Dutch administration procedures.
I'm in the reverse situation having lived in the UK for 27 years but being German. Things turned very hostile very quickly after the Brexit vote. Yes I had my settled status but that's not a physical document that you can show someone. Very quickly questions were asked at passport control when coming back from abroad. Where are you going, how long are you staying Sir. Oh you live here? Can you prove that? Luckily Germany allows dual citizenship so I went through the tedious and expensive process of becoming British. That's a whole other story and they make it difficult at every turn right up to actually applying for a British passport with your new shiny citizenship certificate. Even then you are asked why you want a passport! I wouldn't trust this Government or any government to do what they say. I understand the NL don't allow dual citizenship which makes it more difficult but if I was faced with the decision of either or I would chose my EU passport every time. Especially if I lived in the EU.
I wasn't aware of dual citizenship! I'll check that out. Thanks That's just it, no drive to do anything but just preparing should I need to.
I've travelled the world, perm stayed in the US and now EU. 2023 was the first time I had comments that I should 'go home', it wasn't violent, just a silly comment. Still hurtful as I consider this my home.I think it was following the campaign the Dutch were doing to deter young British tourists from Amsterdam so... At least I felt young! There was a time when the UK passport felt useful, not today sadly.
My ancestry is actually French but I am ( for good or bad?) English (NOT British). I have also travelled in Europe and can say I have seen similar piss taking towards me and my party by locals that think we dont understand what they are saying. Always good to drop in a few French words of conversation with them when they have been spouting. (well unless they are german I guess) Surely its not a problem getting into England and being gifted allowances and accomodation? Just hire a boat and sail across. If you tell 'em you are only 14 you will get even more gifts.
My wife and I lived in Germany for the best part of 18 years. Initially it was a holiday home but I ended up working there. we pondered German citizenship but opted not to due to financial reasons with regard our savings investments for long our retirement. Also if we had denounced our uk citizenship then our entitlement could have been taken away ( can’t remember exact details). then along came brexit and we were in a catch 22. We had two options, become either citizens or go for residency. We opted for residency as thanks to brexit dual citizenship was removed as an option. Residency had its limitations but was better than nothing. Not sure about Holland as many eu countries interpreted brexit in varying ways as to what you could benefit from. Look into it very carefully and you’ll make the right choice.
I Brits who choose to obtain Spanish passports are required by Spanish law to renounce their UK citizenship and hand over thier passport. However the UK does not recognise the authority of a 3rd country to decide who is and who is not a citizen. If you meet the normal eligibility requirements you can still apply for your UK passport.
I had decided that I wasn't going to post in this thread , because it would probably make me all angry and sweary ... ..... but the facts make me out to be a liar ..... To state the obvious , Brexit , and the fall-out and debris was clearly a disaster for this country . Cui Bono ? ..... as lawyers like to say ...... "to whom is it a benefit ?" I've heard that there is a workaround for people who were legally living in Spain prior to Brexit , a bit like the old Residencia system , but without needing to show ownership of property . If so , there would be no need to change passport and/or nationality .
Isn't the answer to always keep your options open? The Brits never make you give up your citizenship, as there's always a chance that you could change your mind, return and pay taxes. I've lived all over the world, and it never occurred to me to voluntarily give up being British. Whilst none of the countries where I lived ever asked me to do so, I would have signed any daft form they required to remain, knowing that HMRC had my back. I'd add that I never thought I would return to life in Blighty. Then something cropped up and I needed to be here for a short while. The short while has become quite a while. I spent forty plus years of wandering around in at least 150 countries, lived a fulltime life in 8 of them, worked in a myriad of roles and was a fullblood expat & gypsy. Since coming back I very rarely travel overseas. With governments you should always keep your options open. Lie if you have to. Always have a stash of money you can access quickly!
That last sentence especially has more than secured your position as forum international man of mystery....
It's not a case of another country making anyone give up any citizenship. It's a case of certain countries not allowing dual nationality. So if you want to become Dutch you have to give up any other citizenship you may have. Other countries are more open. Britain doesn't care. Have as many as you like. I'm in the process of getting my third. Germany allow dual if it's another EU country or if you ask permission and it's granted. If you don't have the Beibehaltungbescheinigung and take on another nationality you can't renew your German passport. So each case can be very different.
Very wise words from Jez! Keep your options open, you never know...the world changes and we change too..
France is currently debating a change in their law that allows Brits with a second home there to be automatically given a 6 month visa, on top of the 90 days in 180 currently allowed. I have no idea on whether that will come to be law and it seems it will take at least a year before it becomes so. Anti immigration rhetoric from politicians is a sign of a failing Government with no ideas and usually a failing society to go with it. Much of Western Europe is ageing populations. If these countries and the population within still want nurses, doctors, roads cleaned etc then they will have to allow immigrant workers in as youngsters within the countries do not want to do that sort of work. Brexit will go down as one of the UKs biggest ever mistakes.
And in answer to the question, then go dual Nationality IF the Netherlands allows it. It can only be to your benefit. None of us know what the future may bring. There were plenty of Jews living in Nazi Germany in the 1920s and 30s who could never have foreseen their appalling future. If the climate keeps warming as it has over the last 50 years, forced immigration is going to cause lots and lots of problems across the World.
The Dutch do allow dual citizenship in what looks like some/most cases: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...se-profile/netherlands-knowledge-base-profile Which would make it a no-brainer.
